Speaking at the conference, Minister Cerar pointed out that a rules-based system founded on international law is in our common interest. Slovenia has strived to preserve the agreements limiting the arms race and providing for international control over armament, and it will continue to do so. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is an example of effective multilateralism over an issue that cannot be resolved by a single country alone.

In the afternoon, the Foreign Minister attended a ministerial working lunch of the Central European Initiative (CEI) hosted by his Italian counterpart. Minister Cerar spoke about the significance of the CEI as a platform for sharing the experience of EU Member States with the countries drawing closer to the European bloc.

“Next month it will be essential for the EU to find sufficient political will to open negotiations with both North Macedonia and Albania,” he emphasised.

During a chat, new Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio expressed his wish that a bilateral meeting of the two counterparts be held soon.

At the invitation of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Minister Cerar attended the traditional Trans-Atlantic dinner; the attending ministers from the EU, NATO and certain partner countries discussed transatlantic relations, the situation in Venezuela, and relations with Iran, China and Russia.